Pastime: The Art of the Game

Exhibit Opening Reception

Mass-produced games of all types, including interactive toys, board and card games have entertained the public since the nineteenth century. The North Shore is home to a rich history of game design and production, notably Parker Brothers which was founded in Salem, MA in 1883. In multiple galleries, Pastime: The Art of the Game highlights the artistic design and the aesthetic experience of game play. The exhibition features a selection of iconic Parker Brothers games, including Monopoly, Nerf, and Bop-It. Also presented are installations of the World War II strategy games Axis and Allies by Larry Harris and the popular children’s stacking card game Rhino Hero by art directors and toy designers Steven Strumpf and Scott Frisco. Pastime illustrates the art of game design through the presentation of drawings, prototypes, and early production models, linking the legacy of innovation in game design unique to the region to an emerging generation of young game designers at Montserrat College of Art.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a robust series of programs, including an interactive gaming space within the exhibition as well as a series of public talks by game designers, and events for students and the public.